Blue Lights Across Canisteo to Honor Fallen Hero Trooper Nicholas Clark

New York State Trooper Nicholas Clark was killed in the line of duty last year, and now a portion of Interstate 86 in Steuben County will have a bridge to honor his memory.

Clark was a native of Canisteo and was 29 at the time of his death. He'd been with the state police for three years.

State Sen. Tom O'Mara, R-Big Flats, and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, R-Corning, co-sponsored legislation to get the stretch of the bridge named in Clark's honor. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the legislation into law Wednesday.

The bridge in the area where I-86 crosses state Route 415 will receive the designation of "Trooper Nicholas F. Clark Memorial Bridge."

The section of the highway is less than a half-mile away from the state police barracks where Clark worked at the time of his death.

In a joint statement, O'Mara and Palmesano said, "We appreciate Governor Cuomo signing this legislation into law. Trooper Nicholas Clark was a hero who paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe. It is our hope that this action will stand as a lasting tribute and testament to his remarkable life and service."

Clark graduated from Canisteo-Greenwood HIgh School in 2006 and Alfred University in 2011.

He had won awards for wrestling and was an All-Conference outside linebacker for his college football team, the Alfred Saxons, where he set school records in tackles. Clark earned a tryout with the Buffalo Bills.

After graduating from the state police academy in 2015, Clark was stationed in Auburn and Ithaca before transferring to Bath.

"We envision the 'Trooper Nicholas F. Clark Memorial Bridge' as an enduring honor to Trooper Clark, and a reminder to future generations of his meaningful life," O'Mara and Palmesano said. "The naming of this bridge adjacent to the barracks where he was stationed is also an important way for us to say thank you to the Clark family for their sacrifice, and to let them know that Nick's service and sacrifice will always be remembered and never forgotten."

Clark is survived by his mother, father and brother.

Trooper Clark's death

Clark was shot and killed in Erwin when responding to a report of a suicidal person barricaded in his residence.

The suspect, 43-year-old Steven Kiley, was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Kiley is listed as having been employed by the Bradford Central School District since January 2006, and was listed as the principal.

During the investigation, state police reportedly recovered 12 illegal firearms owned by Kiley — including eight assault rifles, one rifle and three handguns. State police did not say what made the weapons illegal.

Two silencers and numerous high-capacity magazines were also recovered, state police said.

Autopsy results showed Clark died as a result of being struck with buckshot from a 12-gauge shotgun.

Clark honored in many ways

In addition to this new bridge dedication, Clark was added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in April of this year.

The memorial, in the 400 block of E Street, NW in Washington, D.C., honors American law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty.

In May, Clark was among 17 individuals commended for bravery, investigative persistence, police education, traffic safety, community service and overall exceptional contributions during the New York State Police annual Awards Day Ceremony in Albany.

Clark was recognized with the Brummer Award, the highest award for heroism bestowed by New York State Police.

Follow Ashley Biviano on Twitter at @ashley_biviano. Have a tip? Click here to send her an email.

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Source: https://www.stargazette.com/story/news/local/2019/07/25/bridge-honor-slain-nys-trooper-nicholas-clark-killed-principal/1824520001/

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